Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
Travel insurance complaints hit highest levels since pandemic
The number of travel insurance complaints brought to the Financial Ombudsman Service has increased by 19% in the last year.
Which? demands action against insurers that are poorly handling complaints
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, urges the regulator to hold the insurance firms’ feet to the fire for causing customers unfair delay or distress.
Insurers should stop looking at AI as a cost-saver
Eddie Longworth, the founder of JEL Consulting who launched the Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct earlier this year, says the insurance industry hasn’t realised the “conundrum” about using AI and the need for talent to operate it.
How insurers can up their claims game
Insurers love to talk about claims exaggeration, but David Worsfold asks: are they guilty of some exaggeration of their own?
FCA warns insurers against subletting regulatory responsibilities
The Financial Conduct Authority’s head of department for insurance market interventions, Caroline Gardner, has revealed the regulator’s concerns about providers keeping an eye on their claims handling partners.
Abby Thomas, Financial Ombudsman Service
Abby Thomas, who joined the Financial Ombudsman Service as chief executive and chief ombudsman in October 2022, wants the industry to get better at communicating.
FCA warns against Tempcover clone targeting TikTok
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning on fraudsters claiming to be FCA-authorised firm Tempcover, claiming to be the short-term insurance specialists on TikTok.
Could the FCA follow the Australian regulator’s claims lead?
After Australia’s financial regulator sent a letter to the country’s general insurance firms asking for improvement in claim handling practices, Vitesse’s CEO Philip McGriskin asks could the Financial Conduct Authority take a similar approach.
Tackling turbulence for pet insurers
The pet insurance market is not short on options - the issue consumers have is understanding the many different choices. With better data though Sara Costantini, CRIF’s regional director for the UK and Ireland, suggests insurers would be better equipped…
FOS expects uptick in complaints in 2024/25
The Financial Ombudsman Service has today announced it expects to see 47,400 insurance complaints, of which 18,700 will be about motor insurance, for the period between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
FCA to review how insurance claims are being handled
The Financial Conduct Authority intends to check claims handling response times, and whether insurers are doing enough to help customers in vulnerable circumstances.
Big Interview: Rachel Lam, ombudsman director, FOS
Rachel Lam, ombudsman director for insurance at the Financial Ombudsman Service, speaks exclusively to Insurance Post’s Editor Emma Ann Hughes about her work with providers and the Financial Conduct Authority to address the sector’s shortcomings.
Insurers at risk of £1.6bn bill following £386k QBE payout
A loss assessor has suggested an additional £1.6bn may be up for grabs for businesses that have received Covid-19-related business interruption payouts.
Motor insurance complaints hit five-year high
The latest Financial Ombudsman Service data, published today, shows a spike in motor insurance cases caused by valuation disputes, customer service issues, and delays in payouts.
Ghosts of hollowed out policies come back to haunt insurers
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes urges motor insurers to reflect on the error of their essential motor policy-pushing ways, and show the regulator and the ombudsman their willingness to change now.
Ombudsman expects complaints about hollowed out insurance
The Financial Ombudsman Service is bracing for more complaints next year from consumers who didn’t realise cheaper insurance premiums often result in reduced cover.
Admiral is the most complained about general insurer in H1 2023
Data analysis: Admiral, Direct Line Group, Aviva, Axa and RSA were the most complained about general insurers in the first half of 2023, according to the latest Financial Ombudsman Service data.
Big Interview: Insurtech UK CEO Melissa Collett
Melissa Collett, CEO of Insurtech UK, wants to encourage more Lemonades and is going to engage with the government and regulators on what it will take to ensure insurtechs thrive.
Motor and building insurance complaints hit five-year high
Quarterly data from the Financial Ombudsman Service shows that complaints relating to motor and buildings insurance have reached their highest level in five years
Time to stop treating travel insurance customers like idiots
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues treating travel insurance customers fairly doesn’t mean treating them like an idiot only capable of ticking a box.
Why motor insurers undervalue replacing damaged vehicles
With the FCA ordering Direct Line to review motor loss claims, Jeff Winn, founder of Winn Group, explains why some insurers are underestimating the cost of replacing damaged vehicles.
Motor and buildings insurance top the most complained about products by consumers
The Financial Ombudsman Service revealed motor and buildings insurance are among the top five most complained about products for 2022/23.
Q&A: Melissa Collett, CII
In her final days at the Chartered Insurance Institute, Melissa Collett, professional standards director, reflects on the challenges facing the 126-year-old organisation and shares her hopes for the future.ding and membership body.
